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PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD

I N 1959 James Michener came to us with a unique and challenging idea. He wanted us to publish, in a deluxe format, an edition of original contemporary Japanese woodblock prints. Mr. Michener's reasons for making this request derived from his personal interest in the woodblock artists of Japan and, as he saw it then, their almost insurmountable struggle to make a living from their art.

As publishers devoted to the concept of cultural interchange between the East and West, we quickly caught Mr. Michener's enthusiasm and agreed to the project.

Then the work began. How should we determine which of the hundreds and thousands of contemporary woodblock prints might be included? We decided to sponsor a contest to be judged by a panel of qualified art experts in the United States and Japan. From a total of 275 prints submitted by 120 artists, ten were chosen as best representing "the richness and power of the modern Japanese print movement." The final selection is a beautiful and significant set of prints, running the stylistic gamut from representational to abstract, from typically Japanese to international, including both great old names and newcomers who are sure to become great.

Finally, in 1962, The Modern Japanese Print — An Appreciation appeared as a limited edition of 475 copies in imperial folio size. The paper was the finest of handmade Japanese vellum; the binding, three colors of pure, fine-weave hemp cloth. It is a book in which we, and the author, take considerable pride, for it is more than a book; it is a work of art.

The Modern Japanese Print met with wide critical and commercial acclaim. Now, several years later, it has been suggested that we bring out a popularly priced edition, thus displaying to a far wider audience the techniques and craftsmanship of this group of distinguished artists, along with Mr. Michener's perceptive, informative commentary.

James Michener heartily endorses this version of what originated as a collector's item. We present this volume with renewed pride.